‘Customs baby’ supported during time of grief

by Christina Smith

From the time Joshua Williams was a baby, the office of the Customs and Excise Department was his stomping ground as both his mother and father collectively dedicated 40-plus years to the organization.

He has followed in the footsteps of his late parents, having joined the department in April, 2024.

Joshua has become unwillingly familiar with death, having lost both parents, his mother, Patricia Small in 2008, and his father, Keiron Williams in 2019. While maneuvering the ups and downs of life without his parents at his side, Joshua was dealt another blow- the death of his sister, Celeste Williams, who passed away in December, 2024.

The deceased family members were recognized by the Customs and Excise Department during a wreath laying ceremony at the Kingstown Cemetery on Thursday, January 30, 2025 as part of the International Customs Day Week of Activities.

The Remembrance Day event was held to commemorate late employees of the Department with teams laying wreaths at cemeteries in Kingstown, Richland Park, and also in Bequia and Union Island.

Following the wreath laying and prayers said for the Williams’ family, Joshua told SEARCHLIGHT that it has been difficult managing grief over the years, but he is well supported by his colleagues.

He explained that his mother was working in the Department “long before I was born” and led to him being affectionately called the ‘Customs baby’, as he was taken to the office regularly by his parents.

He said his mind had long been made up that his civil service years would be in the same department as his late parents.
“My sister knew exactly what she wanted to do. She wanted to go to University and then work after. I knew from the very beginning I just wanted to go straight into Customs because that is all I know growing up from small.”

The pain of his sister’s death is still fresh and Joshua admits it is difficult to process that she is no longer a part of his life.

“I still haven’t even accepted it, to be honest. It is something that I am trying to accept but I can’t promise anybody that I can accept it anytime soon.”

Celeste died shortly after completing her first degree and was set to enter into a Masters’ programme in Political Science. Her death was marked by a significant outpouring of love on social media, including statements of condolences from the Miss SVG Pageant, and Mirage Productions.

Joshua said colleagues in the Department have been offering him tremendous support, as well as friends of his sister.
“She left me a lot of sisters and brothers here who don’t ever let me forget it. Even the ones in Jamaica whom I’ve never met.

“They are amazing. It is like one big family. They don’t ever let you forget that.”

Joshua also said one of the best parts of working in the department is getting the opportunity to hear stories about his parents, adding “it’s always a laugh and a joke”.

He praised the Department for paying homage to those who have died.

“It’s a great feeling, letting you know that they don’t forget the ones who are no longer here with us. They always have them in memory.”

Other late employees who were recognized during the Remembrance Day wreath laying ceremony include Pauline Bynoe, Ephraim Pompey, Othniel Whyte, Camille Garrick, Albert Edwards, Rodney Foster, Ava Bailey and Ron Gould.